Perez, Weiss placed on DL

Braves Notebook

Posted: Saturday, May 06, 2000

By Bill ZackStaff Writer

ATLANTA -- Braves catcher Eddie Perez jokingly said he would try to be back to defend his National League Championship Series MVP award, but the news that he would have his ailing right shoulder surgically repaired is no joke for the Braves.

Perez, who has had pain in the shoulder since midway through spring training, was placed on the disabled list Friday for a torn right rotator cuff. Atlanta orthopedic surgeons Marvin Royster and Xavier Duralde are scheduled to repair it on Monday, an Perez is expected to be out 4-5 months.

''I'm done,'' said Perez, who jokingly said he would try to be back in time for the National League Championship Series and defend the NLCS MVP award he won in 1999 against the New York Mets. ''No mas. The last time I threw in San Diego, it felt very bad. I couldn't go any more. It's been very painful.''

Perez said he pain was affecting while hitting as well as throwing, and during the Braves' west coast road trip it constantly woke him up at night.

Perez has caught 103 of Greg Maddux's 107 starts since the start of 1996, and hit two game-winning home runs in Atlanta's NLCS victory over the Mets last year.

''It's too bad,'' said Maddux. ''He's been a big part of our success. He brings a lot of things to the club, and you can't replace his leadership in the clubhouse.''

Perez batted .182 with three RBIs in seven games. He left Wednesday's game in Los Angeles after the sixth inning.

The Braves also placed shortstop Walt Weiss on the disabled list, and they purchased the minor-league contracts of infielder Mark DeRosa and catcher Fernando Lunar.